Russian journalist Sergei Mikhailov has been sentenced to eight years in prison for allegedly spreading false information about the Russian army. The court in Gorno-Altaysk accused him of being motivated by political hatred and imposed a four-year ban on his journalistic activities. Mikhailov, who works for Listok, was arrested after reporting on civilian deaths in Bucha and Mariupol during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He denies any wrongdoing and criticized the Kremlin for its actions in Ukraine.
Since the invasion, President Vladimir Putin has tightened restrictions on media freedoms and freedom of expression. Laws against “foreign agents” have been expanded to include media outlets, journalists, and activists receiving foreign support. Additionally, censorship laws criminalize anyone discrediting the Russian armed forces or sharing information that goes against the government’s narrative, with penalties of up to 15 years in jail.
The crackdown on dissent has led to the closure of independent media outlets and the persecution of journalists, causing many to flee the country. Human rights group OVD-Info reports over 1,000 people facing criminal cases due to criticism of the war in Ukraine. Mikhailov’s case is seen as part of a broader trend of increasing repression and censorship in Russia. The international community has expressed concern over the erosion of media freedoms and calls for the release of Mikhailov and other journalists facing similar charges.
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